Evolving of Intradepartmental Sessions of Nurses Who Support Middle Aged Cancer Outpatients by Talking with Each Other in Peer Meetings

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed at clarifying how the process of peer meetings for nurses evolved. The peer meetings were attended by nurses of the outpatient department from different sections to talk with each other about middle aged cancer outpatients for whom they provide care.

Methods: This is qualitative descriptive research employing action research. Over 13 months I organized 18 meetings with 25 nurses from 11 sections so they could discuss beyond the border of their sections the care they provide. I conducted 28 informal interviews with each of them during this period. Verbatim transcripts of the meetings and field notes were used in combination for qualitative analyses.

Results: As the sessions’ process evolved six phases became evident. Each nurse squarely faced questions about their experience of dealing with cancer patients. They began the meetings by sharing their experiences of emotional conflicts. They found there were patients that nurses from more than one section heard the same concern about and their discussion changed to talk about such patients. Eventually, the nurses gained confidence in their intradepartmental teamwork. They discovered the value in reexamining their daily interactions with the patients and analyzing the meaning with their colleagues. The nurses found their roles of connecting and made their work evolve.

Discussion: It was suggested that in supporting middle aged cancer patients in the outpatient department it is important to discuss and connect with each other using a point of concern about a patient as a clue to gaining a deeper understanding.